LGUs under GCQ may seek DOT permission to let in tourists from NCR Plus
BAGUIO CITY, Benguet, Philippines — Local government units under general community quarantine (GCQ) could seek permission from the Department of Tourism(DOT) permission to open their areas to tourists from the NCR Plus, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said here on Tuesday.
The NCR Plus consists of Metro Manila and adjacent provinces Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal.
“The decision whether to open up on GCQ or MGCQ is really up to the LGU,” Puyat said in an ambush interview with reporters. “It’s up to them. But, of course, we want to encourage them.”
The Interagency Taskforce on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) allowed NCR Plus residents to travel to areas under modified GCQ until June 15.
Puyat cited the case Baguio City, whose city mayor, Benjamin Magalong, sought permission to allow the entry of tourists from the NCR Plus. Baguio is under GCQ until June 15, and there is no definite date yet as to when the city could accept domestic tourists from the NCR Plus.
Those who wish to open their areas for tourism should also write to the DOT, she added.
“Baguio can now open, but other LGUs under GCQ have to write to the Department of Tourism,” she said.
